Archive for January, 2011

5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
​Hurting for the loss of love, dreams, safety,

the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Simplicity

those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Hungry for Right and Good and True.

the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
​Showing loving, kindness to those who do not deserve it.

the pure in heart, for they will see God.
​Honest, Clear conscious

the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Making compromise toward wholeness and community,
those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
​Rejected, judged, avoided for the Good, right

Comparing what we say and what we do….
Searching for Wholeness
we look to wealth, substances, status,

​Hurting for the loss of love, dreams, safety,
​A willingness/ability to feel and not run/hide

​An honesty that we need and are needed
​ we are not alone and we can’t make it by without each other
using people vs serving each other..

​Simplicity
what do we truly need, throw away/ give away what you bring into you home

​Hungry for with is Right and Good and True.
the passion / drive to seek Goodness

​Showing loving, kindness to those who do not deserve it.

​Honest, Clear conscious

​Making compromise toward wholeness and community,

​Willing to be Rejected, judged, avoided for the Good, right

5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

12 Now when Jesus* heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’ 17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’* 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Things I have learned about fishing… that relate to Discipleship

Everyone is going fishing, not everyone will catch a fish on the same day, in the same way.

Jesus calls certain folks, at certain times to begin his ministry..

But when he leaves, it is in the hands of all his followers to be his body in the world.

We are the new fishers of men and women, children and youth.

More fish jump in the net if you put the net in the water or put appropriate food on the hook.

Faith Sharing works best if you go where folks are struggling with faith

We approach a real life situation with meaningful help.

Some one is hungry, you feed them, love them and then help them find work.

Some one is scared about bills, you don’t just say, I’ll pray for you.. look at the root.

Some one is afraid see the doctor, tell them your struggle from the other side.

*Bottom line, you can’t fish from a distance… get near the water, in the water, on the water..

Go to where its ugly, dirty, vulnerable and real. (this is Christ-like)

Sometimes fishing is about being on the lake/river trying, rather than in the catching anything, every day.

Fishing for Christ is not what we get out of it, rather it is putting our selves in God’s hands.

Having lots of good gear can be helpful, but its not necessary.

We value education, bibles, study books, and devotional guides…

but it is as easy as a trusting conversation.

It is possible to over fish a historic spot known for a good catch.

What worked the last time, might never work again.

Sometimes your need a permit or you can get in trouble.

Usually you can get away with ask for forgiveness instead of permission, but sometimes,

You need to know the context, rules and laws that can hinder if your ignore them.

It is easier to let someone else catch, clean and cook the fish, but your not a fisherman when you do.

* Its not about getting the job done, its about showing up for work and trying.

John 13:1-17 (NRG Service)

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

13. 2bAnd during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table,* took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ 7Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ 8Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ 9Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ 10Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,* but is entirely clean. And you* are clean, though not all of you.’ 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’ 12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants* are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus served the students

Usually the leader was cared for first, Jesus cares for others first

Jesus washed their dirty feet

He made clean what they could not clean… not their feet, but their soul, heart

Peter, a student, wanted a whole bath…

Jesus said its not that kind of cleaning, its in your minds, heart and soul…

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1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

A Change of Plans: Do you get rattled if your plans change?
Some folks roll with the punches, go with the flow, & adapt as the river bends.
Others can’t seen straight if the something alters the plan.
What is the difference?
Either you don’t have an opinion, dog in the fight
Or you deal or don’t deal with control..

Here are two examples: (One preventable, One beyond our control)
we are going to church, but you didn’t buy gas and its too far to walk given the weather.
We are going to church, but he weather has made the roads completely hazardous.

Here is another example:
We are going to save more money this month, so don’t spend more at the xx store.
We are going to save more money this month, until our furnace completely quit.

And another, with a twist:
I was going to have a girls night out this weekend, but now I’m taking my child to a birthday party.
I was going to have a guy hunting trip this weekend, but now I’m having to keep the kids for a girls night out weekend.
(Plans change and your adapt because of a greater good)

In the text, the Wise Guys who had come to worship and give tributes to a new King.. a travel club that had been watching, were willing to respond, were willing to travel at great expense of time, to share gifts of great price, went home without telling King Herod..

There is an invitation to go home by another road.
The Great Lesson is that in God’s Direction, there is always another way back home.

We have to be willing to change our plans, change our control, change our comfort and expectation…
Even if we have already gone so far from home in the first place.

Some can identify with the wise travelers who have a great plan..
God calls, and they have a choice to listen, follow and go a new way
Or, go back to King Herod.

The Choose the way back, on the new road.
Talk of changing roads in Jackson..
Ought 2Talk about adding 8 Lanes on i75 between our exit and Stockbridge

New Spiritual Road… new study, new discipline, new service, new message
New Tradition Road.. Protestant reformation, 450yrs, change in tradition..
New Reason Road.. Wisemen listen to God’s new reason.. avoid evil.
So here is a challenge:
Go back to the house, work, school, store, etc.
the same way,
the same person
the same expectations
the same temptations
the same struggles
or try a new way with God’s help.